BorgWarner Breaks Ground for New World Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich.
BorgWarner has broken ground for its new world headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. In September 2003, the powertrain supplier announced that it would relocate its corporate headquarters from Chicago to metro Detroit in order to maintain closer connections with the company’s global customers and suppliers, as well as maximize opportunities for collaboration with the BorgWarner Powertrain Technical Center, which is also located in Auburn Hills.
MEMA, Department of Homeland Security Launch Cooperative Effort on Counterfeiting
The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, have initiated a major effort to increase cooperation and communication between automotive suppliers and border officials. As part of the effort, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will host an anti-counterfeiting seminar on Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Dearborn Inn in Dearborn, Mich. There is no cost to attend the event, which will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
House Bill Would Target Non-Compliant Products
To help deter the import of automotive and other products that falsely claim compliance with federal or industry safety standards, Representatives Sander Levin, (D-Mich.) and Dave Camp, (R-Mich.), have sponsored H.R. 4152, which would make unlawful the importation, sale for importation or sale within the U.S. after importation, of products falsely labeled or advertised as meeting a U.S. government or industry performance or safety standard. The bill would amend Section 337 of America’s trade law, a section well known by aftermarket companies who have used the law against imports that infringe upon their trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights.
White-Collar Jobs Also Exiting U.S.
Rows of engraved faces stare from plaques on the Inventors Wall. These are the faces of engineers who have made design breakthroughs used on some of the world’s most popular cars and trucks. All of the engineers work for Delphi, a Michigan company, at its Mexico Technical Center.
AAPEX Organizers Working to Keep Counterfeiters Out
AAPEX show organizers will again this year pursue an active campaign to keep the trade show free of counterfeiting. Building on last year’s program, exhibitors will receive several notices provided in multiple languages advising of sanctions they will face if found to violate trademarks and patents with products and promotional materials displayed at AAPEX.
Prolong International Reports First Quarter 2004 Results
Prolong International Corp., parent of Prolong Super Lubricants, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of patented consumer automotive, commercial/industrial and household products, has announced financial results for the first quarter, which ended on March 31.
ArvinMeritor Wins Transmission Technology Dispute
The U.S. Patent Board of Appeals and Patent Interferences has issued judgment in favor of ArvinMeritor against Eaton Corp. on all claims in two related transmission patent interferences. The decision was rendered on April 29. The interferences involved an ArvinMeritor U.S. patent on torque prediction technology. Torque prediction is an enabling technology for some automated transmissions.
Keith Kreft Awarded ETI Founder’s Award
Keith Kreft of Cupertino, Calif., was presented the Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) Founder’s Award at the association’s recent board meeting. The Founder’s Award honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and support of the Institute. It is ETI’s highest honor. Kreft is the 14th recipient of the award since it was established in 1985.
Grote Unveils New Product and Technology Information System for Distributors and Installers
Grote Industries has launched a new set of catalogs and training materials for distributors and installers. The new system contains information about the company’s products and underlying technology, including information to facilitate product specification, selection, installation and troubleshooting.
Study Finds OEMs Jeopardizing Their Own Future, Industry Purchasing Practices Harming Competitiveness
Consolidation in the automotive industry — driven by intensive cost pressure from OEMs — is threatening those same OEMs’ competitiveness, according to one recent study. A new study by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) “Beyond Cost Reduction: Reinventing the Automotive OEM-Supplier Interface,” shows that over the past decade, automotive OEMs have outsourced central functions, which has left them dependent on ever fewer suppliers and their innovations.